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The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) is an independent, non- profit making organisation, whose aim is to develop telecommunications standards

ETSI is officially responsible for standardisation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) within Europe . These technologies include telecommunications, broadcasting and related areas such as intelligent transportation and medical electronics.

ETSI brings together 707 members from 62 countries inside and outside Europe , including manufacturers, network operators, administrations, service providers, research bodies and users.

ETSI plays a major role in developing a wide range of standards and other technical documentation as Europe 's contribution to world-wide ICT standardisation. This activity is supplemented by interoperability testing services and other specialist services. ETSI's prime objective is to support global harmonisation by providing a forum in which all the key players can contribute. ETSI is officially recognised by the European Commission and the EFTA secretariat.

Ofcom’s involvement in the work of ETSI is mainly through the Electronic Radio Matters working group (ERM) where we seek to promote the UK position on the various spectrum-related standardisation issues. ERM is the main body for several Task Groups (TGs) and is the group that approves ETSI standardisation deliverables developed by the TGs, as well as being able to monitor the progress of the various ETSI Work Items through the TGs. Harmonised Standards control the spectrum-related aspects of transmitter equipment and thus contribute to the Ofcom objective of keeping the spectrum free from harmful interference.

There are various types of standards produced by ETSI as follows:

• European Standard, telecommunications series (EN)
  Used when the document is intended to meet needs specific to Europe and requires transposition into national standards, or when the drafting of the document is required under an EC/EFTA mandate and it is approved through the National Standards Organisation (NSO). The NSO in the UK is the British Standards Institution (BSI).
• ETSI Standard (ES)
  Used when the document contains normative requirements and it is approved by the whole ETSI membership.
• ETSI Guide (EG)
  Used when the document contains guidance on handling of technical standardisation activities and it is approved by the whole ETSI membership.
• ETSI Technical Specification (TS)
  Used when the document contains normative requirements and when there is short time-to-market, and validation and maintenance are essential. It is approved by the technical committee that drafted the Technical Specification.
• ETSI Technical Report (TR)
  Used when the document contains mainly informative elements and it is approved by the technical committee that drafted the Technical Report.

 

Contact: barry.goodyear@ofcom.org.uk

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